By Michelle LaBrosse
We've all been there: in a place where we feel that our career has stalled or that we've stagnated and stopped growing professionally. If your work life is a little like the movie Ground Hound Day, it may be time to look at your skills and figure out how to get back on top of your game.
Here are few ways to get started.
Track the shooting stars
If you look at people in your industry, who are where you want to be today, what did they do? Did they write a book or a white paper? Become training fanatics who were always learning something new? Or did they just show up more often and early?
If it's not obvious when you think about the successful people around you, ask them. There's nothing people like more than talking about success.
Read the job boards
When you read the job boards in your industry and you see the jobs that you like, what kinds of skills are they looking for? Are they looking for a specific IT certification? Communicators? Leaders? IT Managers? Exchange Administrators? What are the buzz-words that you see repeated?
Those are your guide-posts as you decide how to reinvent or evolve your skills.
Nurture and covet your reputation
Your reputation truly does proceed you whether it's good or bad or indifferent. Think about what your peers would say if they received an inquiry about you. If someone asked them, "So, what do you think of Joanne [substitute your name here]?" What would they say?
What they say needs to aligned with what the marketplace needs. Remember, it's never too late to change a perception. If you come in late, start coming in early. If you never volunteer for extra projects, take the initiative and manage your team's next philanthropic effort. Treat your reputation like the gold that it is.
Be technology savvy
Today's workforce needs to be tech savvy at all levels. While every industry varies, make sure you know the top software applications in your field and that you also know how to be a productive mobile employee. You're reading OutlookPower, so I'm assuming you know Outlook. But do you know it well? Do you know how to make rules? Do you know the intracacies of text coloring? Are you familiar with the add-ons?
Companies want to know that they're not just hiring your skills, but also your ability to change and be productive in many settings. Are you a road warrior who lives and breathes with your Blackberry or iPhone? If you are, strut your stuff and use the technology that you've mastered to your advantage.
Polish your communication skills
Many jobs are won or lost based on your ability to present yourself well. Don't make the mistake of thinking that only marketers or communication people need great communication skills. We all need them! If your Achilles heel is your presentation skills, take a course and hone them to perfection.
